Why do facts not change the previous contrary opinion of many truth deniers. As a matter of fact (pun intended) facts are often dismissed because of cognitive dissonance and mounting evidence can actually harden their position according the research of Facts Psychology as reported in a recent article in Science American magazine. For example, there are tons of facts about evolution being the only theory which explains evolution by using evidence found in many different fields of research such as geography, ecology, genetics, archaeology, anthropology and linguistics and it is accepted by a over 90% of the scientists in their fields. There are many people who, because of their beliefs, including some scientists, will not accept any of these facts because of the mental stress caused by the conflict with their beliefs, values or ideas. According to Leon Festinger, a person "who experiences inconsistency tends to become psychologically uncomfortable, and so is motivated to try to reduce the cognitive dissonance occurring, and actively avoids situations and information likely to increase the psychological discomfort.”.
There are many other areas where we find this phenomenon. People who believe in Homeopathy, where solutions are diluted at 1: 100 and repeated 200 times, will not accept the fact that the solution is totally ineffective .
Climate change is another area where the scientific community has firmly established that it is caused at such a rapid rate, because of the human influence on the atmosphere, but is rejected by the people who have a great interest to continue in the way we produced energy in the past.
Conspiracy theories are rampant and although most of these are easily refuted by available facts, people will not accept reality but instead claim that these facts are manufactured and are part of the conspiracy.
Vaccinations causing autism and the many “cures” that are “kept secret” by Big Pharma and the medical profession are other examples.
Then there are people convinced that Aliens are among us and that pyramids, Nasca Lines in Peru are alien works, although it has been shown that humans are quite capable to create large project like these, with the knowledge and methods they had in the past.
Since we all suffer from cognitive dissonance at some level, only those who can suppress it and change their minds when contrary facts are presented, will be comfortable with new insights and developments. Have an open Mind!
There are many other areas where we find this phenomenon. People who believe in Homeopathy, where solutions are diluted at 1: 100 and repeated 200 times, will not accept the fact that the solution is totally ineffective .
Climate change is another area where the scientific community has firmly established that it is caused at such a rapid rate, because of the human influence on the atmosphere, but is rejected by the people who have a great interest to continue in the way we produced energy in the past.
Conspiracy theories are rampant and although most of these are easily refuted by available facts, people will not accept reality but instead claim that these facts are manufactured and are part of the conspiracy.
Vaccinations causing autism and the many “cures” that are “kept secret” by Big Pharma and the medical profession are other examples.
Then there are people convinced that Aliens are among us and that pyramids, Nasca Lines in Peru are alien works, although it has been shown that humans are quite capable to create large project like these, with the knowledge and methods they had in the past.
Since we all suffer from cognitive dissonance at some level, only those who can suppress it and change their minds when contrary facts are presented, will be comfortable with new insights and developments. Have an open Mind!
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